Melshornet is on Hareid and rises to 668 metres above sea level. The hike covers around seven kilometres there and back, with about 560 metres of ascent, and you should allow two to three hours. The path is mostly dry and well-defined, with good waymarking throughout, so it suits anyone in reasonably good shape.
Panoramic views over Sunnmøre
At the top you're rewarded with wide, magnificent views in every direction: to the west, Ulstein and the islands of Herøy; to the north, the Breisund strait and the Nordøyane islands; to the east, the Storfjord towards Ørskog; and to the south, the Vartdalsfjella mountains and the Sunnmøre Alps. A viewfinder disc names most of the surrounding peaks, and a large cairn also stands at the summit.
Getting there
From Hareid town centre, follow county road 35 towards Hjørungavåg and on to Ulset, a distance of around eight kilometres. At the top of Ulsetleitet you'll find a small car park with a sign pointing the way to Melshornet. There's also an information board with a map and aerial photo of the area, along with a description of the hike. The first stretch follows a forest road, then a good path with a few wetter sections here and there. From the ridge to the summit the path is dry and firm, though the final climb is over stone and scree, so sturdy footwear is recommended.
